The dinner(banquet) was set at a private restaurant in the north of the city.
The next evening, a black Bentley slowly came to a stop by the roadside. Through the car window, Xia Yang saw the original protagonist’s father, stepmother, and stepbrother standing at the entrance of the restaurant, all lined up neatly, ready to welcome them.
As the car door opened, stepmother Yin Xuan rushed out first.
“Mr. Han, it is our honor that you are able to attend the family dinner despite your busy schedule! Please, come inside.” She eagerly extended her hand, wanting to help push the wheelchair.
However, as the car door opened, the supposedly disabled boss stepped out directly. His long legs were straight, and he walked steadily and confidently.
Not a hint of sluggishness.
The “cheap” family was shocked, and Yin Xuan’s eyes almost popped out.
“Mr. Han, your… your legs are healed! How is this possible? I can’t believe it!”
Xia Yang quickly stepped forward, gently linking his arm with Han Yi’s, and responded, “Love can create miracles. A destroyed body, once healed, can become even more magnificent.“
The others: “…”
Han Yi listened to the altered Shakespeare quote, pursed his lips, and said nothing. One arm gently rested around Xia Yang’s waist as they headed toward the private dining room.
The backs of the two looked harmonious and naturally intimate.
After taking a few steps, Xia Yang heard his stepbrother whispering to his mother, “Didn’t you say Mr. Han was a disabled big shot? He’s perfectly fine!”
Yin Xuan said something he couldn’t hear clearly.
“If I had known he wasn’t in a wheelchair, why didn’t you let me marry him? Are you still my mom? You cost me a billion!” The stepbrother’s voice was barely suppressed, and even with his eyes closed, you could imagine how angry he was.
Xia Yang tried hard to stifle his laughter, feeling sympathy for his missing brainstem.
You won’t commit to sharing hardships, so who do you think you are for the good times?
Go ahead, regret it!
Inside the private room, Xia Yang pulled Han Yi to sit down, then took out a small box from his shoulder bag.
Regardless of everything, it was the “cheap” father’s birthday today, and it wouldn’t look right to come empty-handed.
“This is a birthday gift I prepared specially.” He pushed the item forward, smiling politely at his father. “I hope you like it.”
The father beamed, holding the gift and unwrapping it in front of everyone, muttering, “Oh dear, bringing a gift for a birthday, my son is truly a dutiful child…”
Just as he spoke, something fell out of the gift box with a “thud” onto the table.
The father looked down and froze: “This is…?”
“A turtle,” Xia Yang blinked and explained, “Turtles can protect homes, ward off evil, and bring good fortune. I hope this ornament brings you luck, and may you live long like a turtle, with peace of mind.”
The family: “…”
Yin Xuan’s mouth twitched, her face darkened slightly, but she had to force a big, kind smile.
“…Xia Yang is really thoughtful. This gift… is quite nice.”
“Isn’t it?” Xia Yang smiled without reaching his eyes, curling his lips. “I also think this turtle ornament is quite fitting for you, dad.”
“…”
The private restaurant served the dishes quickly, and they were all on the table in less than 20 minutes. From the moment they entered, the stepbrother had been staring at Han Yi, with eyes that seemed to linger. Now that the dishes were served, he showed an unexpected level of enthusiasm.
Pouring wine, serving tea, offering fruit, and even getting up to serve food to Han Yi.
So eager that he forgot to use serving chopsticks and just used his own.
Xia Yang quickly intercepted him with a raised arm.
“Thanks for the thought, but there’s no need to serve him. My husband has a cleanliness obsession.”
“…” The stepbrother awkwardly sat back down.
Xia Yang then took the serving chopsticks and served food to Han Yi, his deer-like eyes sparkling, “Honey, eat more, we’re all ‘family’, no need to be shy.”
Yin Xuan forced a fake smile, quickly echoing, “Yes, yes, Mr. Han, please don’t hold back. We’re all family.”
The father chimed in, “Not a family without a door, our Xia Yang looks at Mr. Han with such bright eyes.”
*Pfft!*
Xia Yang couldn’t hold back a laugh: “If not bright, you’d be blind.”
The others: “…”
The air became awkwardly silent. Yin Xuan forced a few dry laughs and rubbed her hands, “Xia Yang is really humorous, no wonder he caught Mr. Han’s eye. I think there’s just one last step to making your marriage perfect.”
Xia Yang caught the undertone: “What step?”
Yin Xuan and the father exchanged a glance before she continued with a smile, “That’s also why we invited Mr. Han to dinner today. We have some good news to share with him.”
Han Yi slightly raised his eyes, his tone as cold as ever, “What good news?”
“Oh, it’s like this,” Yin Xuan adjusted her chair, speaking earnestly, “I have a friend in Y Country. He said they recently developed an artificial uterus, which can be implanted into the human body, allowing men to have children just like women. This is truly a blessing for same-sex couples! When I heard the news, I thought of Mr. Han immediately. In a while, I’d like to take Xia Yang to have this surgery. That way, Mr. Han can have an heir. What do you think? Do you think I…”
“Disgusting,” Xia Yang cut her off, spitting out a piece of chicken bone.
Yin Xuan choked, glaring at him with her face flushed red.
“Sorry, I meant the food is disgusting, not you.” Xia Yang gestured for her to continue.
“…”
Yin Xuan downed a large glass of red tea to recover, swallowing her words and trying to continue, “Mr. Han, what do you think of my idea?”
“Not much,” Han Yi took a sip of tea and said flatly, “I don’t have a throne to inherit, nor will I make Xia Yang bear children for me.”
The room fell silent again. Yin Xuan was visibly deflated, her face rigid as she stopped talking.
The father’s gaze cautiously shifted to Han Yi’s face, forcing a smile as he took over the conversation.
“Ahem, Mr. Han, your understanding is truly commendable, a level not everyone can reach. In fact, a world of two can also be good. Seeing Xia Yang and Mr. Han getting along well, we are reassured…”
He went on with his grandiose speech, so long-winded that Xia Yang started to get bored. Ever since the stepmother mentioned installing an artificial uterus, he knew the “cheap” family had ulterior motives, definitely setting up for something.
But after so long, they still hadn’t gotten to the point, and his patience was wearing thin.
Wanting to cut to the chase, Xia Yang made no attempt to hide a yawn, leaning coquettishly against Han Yi’s shoulder, his voice soft, “Honey, are you full? I’m sleepy and want to go home.”
As soon as he said this, before Han Yi could respond, the father panicked.
“No, no, we still have dessert coming.”
Xia Yang rubbed his eyes and yawned again, “Then hurry up and bring it out.”
“Alright, alright, immediately!” The father signaled the stepbrother to go to the kitchen and rush the dishes, then hurriedly scooted his chair closer to Han Yi.
“Actually, Mr. Han, we… have a small favor to ask. Given that we’re all family, could Mr. Han possibly… I have no choice here…” He wore a bitter expression and sighed heavily.
Hearing this, Xia Yang immediately straightened up, perking his ears.
Finally, the long-held-in fart was about to be released!
Just like a moth, it’s always late but never missing.
“Mr. Han, the domestic economic situation is tough, and our company is facing a transition. I want to launch a new project soon. Could we possibly ask Mr. Han to be our investor?” The father nervously fidgeted with his clothes, choosing his words carefully.
“What project?” Han Yi asked.
“Uh… financial investments,” the father’s eyes darted around, avoiding direct eye contact, “A friend of mine is doing it and made a fortune. Overall, it’s a market with the most promising prospects. Using leverage trading and technical analysis, we can create huge profits in a short time…”
Oh dear, Xia Yang took a deep breath, almost reaching for the anti-fraud app.
Is the “cheap” dad a dreamer? He actually wanted to use his husband’s money to make waves in the futures market.
Recalling the original story, there was also a plot where the original protagonist’s father traded futures. But it didn’t take long before he went belly up, leaving the whole family on the street begging with a rough porcelain bowl.
On the other side, the father was still babbling and drawing big pictures, when Han Yi raised his hand to cut him off.
“How much investment do you need?”
Xia Yang looked at him in surprise and poked his thigh under the table.
“Don’t be a sucker! Remember, remember!” He poked while lowering his voice.
Feeling the “attack,” Han Yi’s hand twitched, and he had to hold down Xia Yang’s restless fingers under the table.
“Don’t poke,” he said, his voice also low, as his Adam’s apple bobbed.
The father hadn’t noticed their little interaction, and upon hearing Han Yi ask how much investment was needed, he visibly got excited. “Not much, not much, just 30 million. To Mr. Han, that’s just a drop in the ocean, a drop in the bucket!”
“Hmm,” Han Yi turned his head, casually tapping the table with his fingers, “It really isn’t much. How about we let Xia Yang decide? I’ll go along with whatever he chooses.”
Clang—the father’s excitement vanished, and the spoon clattered into the soup bowl.
Xia Yang was stunned at first, but quickly understood Han Yi’s intention.
He straightened his small, proud chest and cleared his throat, “Ahem, I don’t understand investments, but speaking of leverage trading, it reminds me of a joke.”
“What joke?” Han Yi showed interest.
“Archimedes once said, ‘Give me a lever, and I can move the earth.’ Then an investor came to Archimedes and said, ‘I’ll lend you three times leverage!’ The next day, when the market opened, Archimedes lost two Earths.”
“Oh, so?” Han Yi asked, clearly feigning ignorance.
“So this isn’t an investment project; it’s magic, the kind that turns rich people into poor ones!”
“You’re talking nonsense!” The father slammed the table, revealing a vicious expression. “You… you don’t understand anything, talking nonsense!”
“Heh,” Xia Yang threw him a contemptuous look, then turned to Han Yi. “He says I don’t understand. Do you understand me, Mr. Han?”
“I understand.” Han Yi’s dark pupils locked onto his face, naturally wrapping an arm around his shoulder.
“Good, as long as you understand me,” Xia Yang gave him a wink and formed a heart with his hands. “Investing in a father-in-law who loses two Earths would really hurt the reputation!”
…
This was the most satisfying meal Xia Yang had eaten in both his lives.
Having a big shot from a wealthy family backing him felt good. There were moments when he even had the illusion that he really had a husband.
Not the kind that’s shallow or superficial.
Someone who cared for him, valued him, stood up for him, and gave him dignity. Sitting next to his husband, he felt a sense of unprecedented stability and security.
He was starting to get addicted.
Leaving the private restaurant, on their way back, the car exited the elevated highway, made a turn, and drove toward the hospital entrance.
“We’re here, sir,” the driver said, stopping the car.
Xia Yang snapped out of his thoughts and turned to Han Yi, asking softly, “Are you okay? Do you want to use the wheelchair to go up?”
He knew Han Yi had only recently recovered and had walked a lot tonight. He wasn’t sure if his legs could still handle it.
“Why wouldn’t I be okay?” Han Yi glanced at him, seemingly dissatisfied with the phrasing of “okay or not,” and didn’t seem eager to go upstairs. “It’s still early for rest. I want to take a walk.”
Xia Yang: “…”
Xia Yang: “Freshly repaired parts shouldn’t be overused, right?”
“They won’t be,” Han Yi said as he stepped out of the car with his long legs, “I know my limits.”
The October night wasn’t cold, and the falling leaves made a soft, crackling sound. The two walked side by side, the moonlight casting clear shadows of their elongated figures on the path beneath their feet.
After walking for a while, Xia Yang broke the silence, gently calling, “Mr. Han.”
Han Yi turned to look at his eyes.
A yellow leaf happened to drift down, landing on Xia Yang’s shoulder. Han Yi’s arm moved, intending to brush it off, but the leaf fell on its own. He could only put his hand back in his pocket.
“Thank you for tonight, Mr. Han.” Xia Yang bent his pretty eyes and leaned closer.
“Thank me for what?”
“You made me so happy! I haven’t felt this good in a long, long time!”
Han Yi: “…”
Xia Yang didn’t realize his words might be misunderstood, and after walking a few steps, he turned his body around, walking backward to face Han Yi.
“Sometimes, I think we’re quite similar,” he said, looking into Han Yi’s eyes. “Our parents weren’t perfect; they didn’t give us a warm and loving family.”
“Yeah.” Han Yi nodded, not denying it.
It seemed they were both children abandoned by their parents early on.
“But you’re luckier than me,” Xia Yang continued, walking backward. “You have a grandmother who loves and cares for you, letting you know what a warm and loving home feels like…”
Before he could finish, he accidentally stepped on a rock, his foot slipping out from under him, causing his whole body to fall backward uncontrollably.
Xia Yang thought it was bad news, closing his eyes in despair. Just then, a pair of strong hands suddenly reached out from behind, firmly supporting his waist.
Strong, broad, powerful, and warm…
Xia Yang’s eyes widened, his heartbeat quickening. The sudden closeness made it seem like he could see the moonlight and stars in Han Yi’s eyes.
The air around them suddenly quieted, even the falling leaves seemed to pause. After a moment, he heard a deep, magnetic voice by his ear.
“I am indeed lucky, and you will be too.”
The author has something to say:
“Love can create miracles. A destroyed love, once restored, becomes more magnificent.” This is a quote from Shakespeare.
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